AQUATICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10264, 23 January 1895, Page 4

AQUATICS.

WELLINGTON REGATTA,

(Vaa UNirED Press Association.)

Wellington, January 22. The annual regatta, under the auspices of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club, was held today, and proved to be one of the most successful gatherings in the history of the club. Daring the forenoon there was not a breath of wind, the water in the harbour being like glass, and when the gun was fired at 11 o'clock to start the boats in the first-class event, the fleet lay almost motionless off the wharf. Within half an hour; however, a light breeze sprang up and continued throughout the rest of the day. This suited the smaller craft admirably, but was far from satisfactory to the larger beats, notably the competitors eßgaged in the first-class event. The win of the Waitangi in the big event was very popular, and Mr Logan, her builder, who steered her in the race, received a great ovation as he crossed the line at the finish, the"*enthusiasm being renewed when the Kona, tbe winner of the Second-class Championship, which was also built by Mr Logan, drew up alongside the Waitangi, and the two boats sailed away together to their mooriugs. It was very evident the wind wag far too light to allow of the Maseotte showing the excellent sailing qualities she undoubtedly possesses. The sailing of tfee Napier boat in the second-class race was very much admired, and regret was expressed that she could not bs awarded first money. It is understood she is under offer to a Wellington syndicate, her owner being desirous of securing a larger boat. Following are particulars of the principal events :— First-class- Championship Yacht Race, five ._, rating and over.—First prize, £100 and Commodore's Cup; second, £20. Distance about 27 knots. Mr E. Logan's (Auckland) Waitangi, 19-rating, 6min3Bsec 1 Mr James Sinclair's (Lytteiton) Maseotte, 14 rating, scratch 2 Mr M. Millar's (Lytteiton) Pastime, 83 rating, 10min30sec 3 Mr George Mee's (Wellington) Maritana, 13 rating, lnrin 24sec 4 All the boats came up to the flagship with their kits on, the Maritana and the two Lytteiton yachts carryiag club topsails, and the Aucklander an ordinary gib leader. The Maritana wa3 away fir3t. On crossing the lino she was as far up to the windward as she could get, and hoisting a big balloon gib she soon cleared the flagship. The Pastime, with her owner at tfee helm, was close behind, having crossed the line only 25 seconds after the firing of the gun, and she also sent up a balloon gib, as did the Waitaagi, which got a very bad start owing to Mr- Logan, who was sailing her, being determined that she should be well inside the line. The Aucklander lost 3min 55sec in getting away, and the Maseotte, which is usually smart at starting, was even. worse, being 4min ssec behind. The Pastime tore along at a sreat rate when she felt the southerly, and soon displaced the Maritana, which was last when the boats disappeared from view round Point Halswell, about four miles from the Queen's wharf. The Waitangi was second, two minutes behind the Pastime, and a similar distance ia frout of thp Maseotte. On the beat to Worser's Bay the Waitangi exhibited splendid pace, and overhauled the Pa&time and assumed a strong lead, the Maseotte also coming up and passing the Pastime. On the run to the buoy off Pntone the Waitansi increased her lead, whils the Maritana slightly improved herpSsition. The first round was completed as follows :—Waitangi, lhr 57niin 505 ec; Maseotte, 2hr 9n.in; Maritana, 2hr 15niiu siec; Pastime, 2hr lflinin. On the run to Worser Bay for the second time the Waitangi increased her lead by about six minutes, and, sailing splendidly, crossad the Hue an ea?y winner at 4hr sflmin 52sec. The Maseotte, who was three or four miles behind her, finished at shr 27miu 29.see. The Pastime and Maritana finished close together shortly before 6 o'clock, the former having the advantage. Second-class Championship Yacht Race, two nnd a-half rating and uuderfive. First prize £50 and trophy, second £10. Distance about 20 knots. Mr A. H. Turnbull's Eona, 43 rating, lmin 7 sec \ Mr T. G. Osborne's Idea, 46 rating, ser 2 Also started : Atalanta (Napier), AVaiwetu, Maliina, and Hapu. This wa3 a close race. Tbe Atalanta, which had (train 14aec time allowance, completed the first round at lhr SSmin, followed by the Kona at lhr :)i)miu, the (sea at lhr 39min ssec, and the Hapu at lhr 42min. From this out the Atalanta maintained her iead, and crosied the line at 4hr smin, exactly a minute in front of the Kcna, which was 12min ahead of the Isca. The first prize was awnrdsd to the Kona,-the Napier boat being disquaiiaed for having carried a larger mainsail than she was rated for. • The Third-class Yacht Kaco was won by the Iris from several others. Other events for smaller crafts were also got off during tbe day. A handicap race for all yachts, irrecpective of siz3, will be sailed on (Saturday over the championship course, when it is probable that all tbe yachts taking part iv to-day's regatta will compete. A promenp.de concert, uuder the auspices of the Ofcago Yacht Club, with tho assistance of the crew of H.M.S. Royalist, will be held tomorrow night on the tongue wharf, which will be lit up with the electric light for ths occssion. Oa the whfirf th"re will be sword-bayonet exercises by the marinas, cufclass driil by tbe bluejackets, and qua drill; ai:d in one of tho sheds thero will be stop dancing, and songs by A.B.s and i number of our local vocaiisfs. The following crews will represent the Otago Rowing Club at tho regatta oa the 2nd February :— Lightweights.—C. G. Scolon (stroke), A. Coggan (3). A. Johnstone (2), E. Macassey (bow). Maidens.—P. Thomas (stroke), T. M'Queen (3), J. U. Shand (2), T. R. M'Kay (bow). Seniors aud Juniors.—F. Mitchell (stroke), P. Doull (8), D. Maitland (2), SI. I'ricst (bow).

With this issue we publish the programme of the Otago Rowing Association's annual regatta, to te held at tho Danedin wharf on Saturday, February 2. Sixteen events are enumerated, comprising races for all the different classes of boats that are beiDg introduced, as well as aquatic exhibitions, such as ponteoniug, submarine mine explosion, &c. Secretaries of clubs are reminded that tjntries close on Monday, the 28th mat., and that the weights of the crews are also to be handed in at the same time.

The Amateur Swimming Club have been very successful in obtaining entries for their inaugural meetin?, for they have received no less than 140 entries for their various events, including four tfiama of five men each from the D A 8., O.R C, North End, and Quaeu's Drive Boating Clubs. The entries from the Naval Brigades are not yattohind, but some are forthcoming, and if the committee can only secure representatives from H.M.S. Royalist they will no donbt make tbat event most interesting. Mie Works Committee at Pelichet Bay ara leaving no stonq uuturned to provide increased accommodation for the public and to make matters comfortable for the competitors, the new course adopted giving a start off and finish of something like 11yds. The handicaps will b3 declared on Thursday morning. J

A meeting was held at St. Clair on Monday nijiht, Mr J. H. Hancock presiding, to consider the question of holding & swimming tournament. Tha idea was adopted, and the tournament fixed for ths 16th February. Mr J. F. M. Frasnr was appointed president at the head of a strong executive, of whom Mr F. W. Petra is refei-.se, Mr A. .G. Melville starter, Mr J. M'GfiniiCss timekeeper, Mr Melton treasurer, and Mr E. R. Sincocli secretary. Several prizes are already promised.